Nhill primed for wheelie big event
Organisers of a major money-raising event for Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre on March 10 expect a crowd of more than 1000 to gather at Nhill aerodrome.
Wheels for Wirraway, raising money to help the centre acquire an historic Second World War Wirraway aircraft, will be from 10am to 4pm and feature ‘wheels’ as a major theme.
Event spokeswoman Jenny Creek said organisers had planned an action-packed day featuring wheels of all sorts and sizes.
“Wheels for Wirraway will be a unique event bringing together people who use wheels every day, either for pleasure or necessity,” she said.
“Visitors are invited to participate by bringing any form of wheels, from roller skates to trucks, ride-on mowers to classic cars and everything in between.”
A major feature of the day will be a display of vintage cycles, along with penny-farthing bicycles, motorcycles, classic cars, trucks, military vehicles, tandem bikes, unicycles, antique toys and wheel sculptures.
“There will be competitions for decorated bikes, skateboards and remote-controlled vehicles. Joy flights, a car boot sale and market, children’s activities and food stalls, which will all add to the festival scene,” Ms Creek said.
Wheels for Wirraway will be the last major fundraiser in the campaign for the heritage centre to buy a Wirraway restored by Borg Sorensen from Tyabb.
“With only $50,000 of the $300,000 purchase price yet to be raised, it is hoped the Wirraway will be on permanent display at Nhill by mid2018,” Ms Creek said.
“An Avro Anson, Link Trainer and Tiger Moth, together with the Wirraway, will complete the collection, reflecting the four main aircraft stationed at Nhill RAAF training base during the Second World War.
“This specific combination of four 70-yearold working aircraft displayed together at a former RAAF base will be extremely rare and might in fact be the only example in the world.”
People seeking more information about activities can visit website www.nhillaviationheritagecentre.com.au or Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre Facebook page.
People with ‘an unusual set of wheels’ that they are keen to display, or are keen to enter a ‘wheels’ sculpture can call John Deckert on 0437 351 753 or Ms Creek on 0417 014 278.
Admission to this money-raising day is $20 for adults and $10 for school-aged children. Pre-schoolers are free of charge and a family ticket is $50. Entry to all displays, the Bellman Hangar and the Ahrens Hangar is also free.